Electric circuit closing device



Sept. 26, 1933. s. BEFFA 1,923,555

ELECTRIC CIRCUIT CLOSING DEVICE Filed July 14 1952 2A II/ -|NVENTOR WITNESSES 6 .Lauw 6 dieffa/ QDZ JM; gnu/WW6, 9 ATTORNEYS.

PatentedSeph 26, 1933 ELECTRIC vfcntoorr oLosING. Device Louis G. Befia MaaiSOn, NLJ. Application 3 11914, 1932. Serial nohezaszs w l s oiaims. (o1. sod-142) Tlis invention relatesto electric circuit clos- I ingrdevices and more particularlyto an improved device for establishing electrical connection by means of a fusible conductor, theobject being to provide a simplified, inexpensive construction which may be arrangedin dwellings or other places .ata very low price and yetpresent a corn.v struction which will efficiently function toclose the circuit upon the fusingof the'conductor in' case of fire. 1

Another object of the invention is to provide an electric circuit closing device wherein the terminals of the circuit are held in spaced relation and capable ofconnection through the engagement therewith of a metal conductor.

' An additional object'of the invention: is to pro r1 tern with a pair of electric circuit closing devices embodying the invention connected therewith,

one of the devices being shown in section for better illustrating the invention; 1

Figure 2 is a fragmentary sectional view through a modified form of the device embodying the invention;

Figure 3 is a longitudinal vertical sectional View through a section of another modified form to.

that shown in Figure 1;

Figure 1 is a sectional view showing another modified form of the said electric circuit closing device. 7

Referring to the accompanying drawing by numerals, 1 indicates a fire alarm system, and 2 9 and 3 circuit closing devices forming part of the said system. The said system may be of any desired kind but preferably that shown in the accompanying drawing consisting of an electrically-actuated bell 4 and a source of current 5 therefor, and suitable wiring to .connect the circuit closing devices 2 and 3 to the source of ourrent and to the terminals of the actuating mech-.

anism of the said electrically-actuated bell so that the bell will operate when either of the said devices functions. It will be, of course, evident that the wiring could be extended to include many more such devices and the bell caused to ring upon the functioning of any one of said devices.

As shown at the right in Figure 1, the circuit closing device 3 is provided with a. metallic shell or tube 6,.clamped at to the insulation 8; surrounding the wire 9 andto the insulation 10 of wire 11. It will be noted that the bare end portion 12 of the wire 10" is in contact with the metallic tube 6 but the end portion 13 of wire 9Tis out of contact therewith. :Thus arranged the circuit is disconnected and current cannot pass from wire 11,towire 9.- I 2. I

At the upper end of the tube 6 afusibleplug 14 is provided," which is preferably inv the form of a cone. When the circuit closing device 3 is arranged in position on the insulated ends of the wires-9 and 10, it is preferably arranged verticallyt'nereon though it may be arranged at a f slight angle to the verticaL. In' case a fire de veloped near the said device andthe fire produces down on to the end portion 13- of wire 9 and, at the same time, -'will spread i out and engage the inner wall of the sleevefi, whereupon an electrical connection will be efiected between wires 9 and 11 through the sleeve 6. This will result in the ringing of bell 4. The circuit closing device 2 is of the same construction as. the device 3 and, therefore, operates in the same manner.

In Figure 2 a slightly modified construction is shown to that in Figure 1. In this form of the invention the tube or sleeve S' may be of meta1 sufficient heat, the plug'14 will'melt and drop or of some other material which will stand an appreciable amount of heat. As illustrated, in

Figure '2 the wires 15 and 16 are securely held,

by the said sleeve in parallel relation with their care ends 17 and 18 in close spaced relation and in position when the fusible plug 14" melts and fiOWS down to form a metallic connection between the said ends thereby closing the circuit without the use of the tube 6' as a conductor.

In Figure 3 another form of the invention is shown in which the sleeve 6" is arranged hori-' zontally and with the insulated ends of wires 19 the ends 21 and 22 and also through the tube 6" if the tube is, metallic.

In Figure 4 is shown a further modified form of the invention, in which the disconnected ends (if-the insulated'wires 24 and-25 arearranged sleeve 6".

nect the end 28 with the tube 6" to close the circuit."

In each formof the invention the circuit closing device is constructed in a very simple and inexpensive manner so that it may be used in comparatively inexpensive homes and other places where-an inexpensive structure is essential.

In each form of the invention the parts are so positioned and arranged that a fusible member after it has fused will move by gravity to a position for closing the circuit either by connecting two contacts or connecting one contact with a metal casing to which the other contact or wire is grounded.

It is to be understood that while the circuit closing device has been illustrated herein in connection with a fire alarm system, the said device is not to be so limited, but may be used for the purpose Iof establishing electrical connection .in any system containing an electrically-actuated means and which latter would be caused to function upon the closing of the circuit by the fusing of the conductor in the said circuit closing device;

It will also be noted that when the fusible plug is-ln position all parts fit tightly, and, consequently, the device is hermetically sealed, thus:

preventing the entrance of moisture, air, dust or other foreign substances into the interior of the In this form of 7 cartridge to interfere with the closing of the circuit when the plug is fused.

What I claim is:

1. An electric circuit closing device in combination with the insulated disconnected end portions of the wires of an electric circuit, said end portions having their ends bare, a metallic sleeve fitting over the said insulated disconnected end portions in electrical engagement with one of the ends and out of electrical engagement with the other end of said wires, and a fusible conductor normally supported above the last-mentioned end in position when it is heated to a molten state to flow under the action of gravity to engage thelast-mentioned end and said metallic sleeve for electrically connecting said wires.

2. An electrical circuit closing device including a tubular member open at both ends and provided with; a lateral opening intermediate the ends, a pair of conductors extending into said tubular member one from each end to a position near the lateral opening, said conductors being insulated from said sleeve the ends of said conductorsvbeing bent downwardly to close proximity to the wall of the tubular member, and a mo cone-shaped fusible plug arranged in said lateral opening in position when the fusible member has become heated it will melt and move under the action of gravity into engagement with both of said ends.

3. An electrical circuit closing cartridge including a cone-shaped plug, a tubular body provided with openings, certain of said openings being adapted to receive the ends of wires, others of said openings being adapted to receive said cone-shaped plug of fusible metal to connect the ends of said wires when the metal is fused.

V LOUIS G. BEFFA. 

